Subject File THE WORLD OF WORK: The Gig Economy & Remote Work

• The gig economy, also known as the sharing or access economy, consists of a labor market that emphasizes short-term, temporary, flexible, part-time and freelance work engagements rather than permanent positions, often facilitated through digital platforms, representing a shift from traditional employment structures.

• People earn money from providing on-demand work, services, or goods. 

• Remote positions allow gig workers to live anywhere that has an internet connection.

• Positions are often filled by independent contractors. While offering flexibility and independence to workers, this type of of work removes job security and benefits like health insurance and paid leave. 

• Companies save costs by hiring freelancers without these benefits. Employers benefit by saving costs and hiring from a larger, globally accessible talent pool due to remote work options. 

Ex. 1: Study the vocabulary items below. 

• digital freelancing
• in demand
• digital gig platforms 
• earnings 
• entrepreneur 
• to freelance 
• perks 

Ex. 2: Watch the video and complete the sentences with the items in Ex. 1. 

Paid vacation, sick leave, life insurance and retirement plans are among the ... (1) that come with salaried jobs. Freelancers, though, will have to take responsibility for these themselves. 

... (2) come with drawbacks and may not provide a reliable living wage but they offer convenience and opportunities to find paid work fast. 

Freelancers may find it hard to find out how much money they actually make as ... (3) are based on location and often include business expenses and the digital platforms' cuts. 

Freelancing requires becoming an ... (4) because marketing, negotiating, administration, networking, and client acquisition are central to the gig economy. 

If a person has a skill that is ... (5), they can charge more for the services they deliver to their clients.

... (6) is a new development where freelancers collaborate with digital platforms such as Uber or Upwork. 

When people decide to ... (7), it is often because they enjoy the independence and flexibility these short-term and flexible work arrangements bring. 

Remote working/working from home/hybrid working

Ex. 1: What is hybrid working?

https://www.facebook.com/watch?v=254895689957184

Ex. 2: Learn more about remote working.

Ex. 2 KEY: (1) perks, (2) digital gig platforms; (3) earnings; (4) entrepreneur; (5) in demand; (6) digital freelancing; (7) freelance